280 Remington load for mule deer hunt

I recently bought a Browning A bolt synthetic stalker(22" barrel) in 280 and am considering carrying it this fall for a Wyoming mule deer hunt. The rifle is shooting 1/2 to 1" with several powders and the 140gr Ballistic tip bullet, but not at the velocity I hoped for. All my loads so far have fallen between 2710 and 2875fps. I had hoped to get 2900-3000 with this bullet. I suspect that the loading books are cautious with their data for the 280 since it was introduced in the pump/auto rifles first, and I know an extra 2" of barrel would help. Anyone have a pet load I could work up to that would add a few fps?

You are right! The 2 extra inches of barrel would make all of the difference in the world. However, If I were in your situation I would find a good gunsmith local to you and have them re-chamber this rifle to a 280 AI. The 280 AI is far superior to the original 280 Rem and I think would allow you to achieve the velocities you are after. The nice thing about this option is that you can use any ammo that you have and once it is fired the cases are then formed to the new chambering.

My carry-rifle is a 280rem. Although I have not updated my write-up, the rifle's pet load these days is 168VLD over 56.2grains H4831SC and Winchester primer. I'm getting 2850fps out of my 24" barrel with an ES of 12. This load carries enough energy to take deer at 1k.

With a 22" barrel, this same load would probably go 2750 to 2800.

In the alternative, if you like the ballistic tips, I would suggest going with the 150grain bullets. They give you a little better BC, you can push them pretty fast and they carry more energy downrange than the 140grainers.

You're right that reloading manuals are a bit scared of pushing the top end (lawyers!). Check here for load data: 284_1

Will the 280AI deliver the extra speed from this short of barrel? I have an excellent gunsmith a mile away who could open up the chamber. If the gun wasn't accurate I would put a 24" fluted barrel in 280AI on it right away, but I have a hard time disassembling a 1/2" gun.

I did more experimenting with the 280 this evening. I still didn't find the speed I wanted, and none of my loads showed any pressure at all. Here are my results so far for the hotter loads with each powder. All are averages for 4 shot groups. Some loads I worked up to are over max depending on the reloading manual used. All shot between .5 and 1" except one. The air temp was between 85 and 90 the whole time I was shooting.

The 150gr Scirocco had only 13fps deviation for 4 shots. If I don't find anything better I may have a turret made for one of my Leupolds and use this. Has anyone tried this bullet on muleys at extended range?

I have used the Varmint Hunter reticles for several years with good success by keeping my velocities all close to 3000fps and BC near .500 on all my rifles. I like that because I can use the same hold and windage with any of my rifles out to 500.

I will be gone for the weekend, but I will be working on it again next week.

For those who have shot the 150 Sciroccco, is the listed ballistic coefficient accurate? When I use ballistics programs on the Nosler accubond in .284 I subtract .05 from the advertised BC to get accurate results.